Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. County Manager Shannon Metty has significantly stepped up her management team in the person of Ron Russo, whom she recently hired as deputy manager. Russo, who started…
FL Cares enters a new year of improving accessibility
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. FL Cares, a local 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, saw record-breaking activity in 2025. The volunteer-run organization is committed to increasing accessibility across the four-county area of Jefferson, Leon,…
The Jan/Feb Front Porch magazine has arrived!
Emerald Greene ECB Publishing, Inc. It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of the Jan/Feb 2026 edition of The Front Porch magazine. The new issue has been mailed and…
Pet Adoption Spotlight: Crawford
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. At the Jefferson County Humane Society’s Wolf Creek Pet Adoption Center (JCHS), many sweet animals are hoping to find their forever home. Crawford, a handsome brown tabby…
Donations are now being accepted for SRJC property restoration
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. The alumni of Suwannee River Junior College and Madison County Training School are holding a fundraising campaign to help with the restoration of the historic property. The…
The fix for 2026
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist The average life expectancy in the United States for 2025 was estimated at about 79.4 years (up from previous years). If I were average (which I’m not!),…
Need a boost to start or finish a project?
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist I’ve struggled with time management all my life. On good days, I make steady progress. On hard days, I feel overwhelmed, discouraged and worn down by the…
White House to roll back Biden fuel economy standards
Morgan Sweeney The Center Square The federal government is relaxing Biden-era fuel economy standards that required most cars to have a fuel efficiency of nearly 50 mpg by 2031 in an effort to ease…
Dexter’s Law goes into effect
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. One law that took effect on Thursday, Jan. 1, is called “Dexter’s Law,” although the actual designation is CS/HB 255 – Aggravated Animal Cruelty. The legislation has…
Rural Business Resource Tour is Jan. 16
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. North Florida College will be the site for an event targeted toward helping small businesses located in rural Florida. FloridaCommerce and the Florida Small Business Development Center…
Events for January 6-9
JANUARY 6 (Tuesday) Lego Club meets at 4 p.m. at the library (375 S. Water St.). For more information, call 850-342-0205. Shepherd’s Hands Free Health Clinic is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m….
Health officials track H3N2 subclade K as flu activity climbs in Florida and nationwide
Hailey Waldo ECB Publishing, Inc. As influenza activity continues to rise across the United States this winter, health officials are closely monitoring a variant of the seasonal flu virus known as H3N2…
Bill aims to reduce cost of inmate health care in Jefferson County
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Acting on the request of Sheriff Mac McNeill, House Representative Allison Tant has introduced legislation for the coming session that seeks to cap the compensation that the…
Pet Adoption Spotlight – Sunrise
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. At the Jefferson County Humane Society’s Wolf Creek Pet Adoption Center (JCHS), many sweet animals are hoping to find their forever home. Sunrise, an orange tabby cat,…
FDC enhances public safety through innovation and accountability in 2025
Florida Dept. of Corrections Contributor In 2025, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) continued to advance Florida’s public safety mission through strategic investments in staffing, institutional security, officer safety, training and technology,…
Laura’s Garden Notes: To sow a seed “we must open our hands”
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. In the depths of winter, many people who kindle hopes for “Peace on Earth” carry those forward into positive new year actions toward peace of mind, peace…
Transforming Life Church to offer special services for miracles, healing and prophetic gifts
Story Submitted Prophetic Evangelists Russ and Kim Kline of Shatter the Darkness ministries will be holding special services at Transforming Life Church in the Lloyd area. This is an amazing, life-changing opportunity…
“Candy Jones” and his house on the hill
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Mulberry Street includes a stretch of many of Monticello’s historical houses from the late 19th and early 20th century. Among them is a two-story house referred to…
Domestic violence can affect anyone
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Did you know that over 10 million people are affected by domestic violence every year? According to Break the Cycle, nearly one in four women and two…
Opponents of SB 180 see glimmer of hope in newly proposed legislation
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Opponents of the controversial Senate Bill 180, which became law in June 2025 and essentially restricts counties and municipalities from amending their comprehensive plans or land-development regulations…